There’s been quite a lot happening in the first two weeks of January. In the last eight weeks I’ve had the honor of attending a Bradley Method childbirth education as a doula, under the instruction of Amy V. Haas. Attending these classes has been moving me toward completion of the DONA certification (birth and labor, postpartum support) that I began in June.
I’m extra excited about this opportunity and the news it brings. I’ll be at my final DONA Birth training this weekend in Ottawa, Ontario with Susan Martensen! I am so looking forward, DONA trainings are fun and you meet so many kind and genuine women.
Two weeks ago in my Bradley class we discussed the signs of a laboring mother in transition, which commonly marks the halfway/most intense point of labor. This is the time the hard working woman begins doubting herself and her ability to give birth, threatens to give up, is shaking from a mix of exhaustion and added boosts of adrenaline, and is becoming more vocal. As birth partners it’s an exciting point of labor because you know from the outside she’s making great progress and will have done the deed of giving birth soon. The waiting has been cut in half and the inevitable will be happening despite any doubts that have made it into her thoughts. This is also a point where a birth partner gets to actively encourage a mother that’s been making great progress. Which is pretty exciting for the partner.
Even though all my writing classes would scoff at my eagerness to compare the analogy of transition in labor (maybe a laboring mom would too actually! wouldn’t blame her) to life, I am going to do it. I say there’s a reason people like birth metaphors for new life and change, as well as they like the heart being a love icon, because they resonate popularly. As I’m going through some major changes myself, committing myself to labor support , building my interaction with women during their transition into parenthood…I’ve been stressing a bit, doubting, feeling scared and shaky, but I guess that’s marking of some progress, and I’m excited about what will be when I make it through. An opportunity to serve families in their greatest and most exciting life transition! Thanks Amy for drawing that connection for me.
Happy Tuesday everyone, next week I should be more informational after a weekend away!
